Friday, December 23, 2011

BLYTHE — When Casey Tuley leaves Ironwood State Prison in January after nine years of incarceration, he will be the first of 21 inmates in a training program to walk out as a certified Braille transcriber.

Tuley, 26, works at the Blythe prison as a contractor for a Camarillo-based production center that specializes in making Braille and electronic books for blind and disabled students in California.

"It seems like everybody is struggling out there and it's really hard, so for me to be able to leave here and actually take away something from all of this — it's huge," said Tuley, serving time for assault with a deadly weapon. "This is the only program I've ever heard of where you can actually get something out of it and use out there."

The Alternate Text Production Center Braille program, considered the cream of the jobs crop at Ironwood, is in a row of bungalows near the main prison yard. Sheltered from the sweltering desert heat, which can reach 120 degrees in the summer, the center resembles a computer lab.

On a recent weekday morning, inmates worked on three rows of computers that displayed an image of the neighboring Colorado River and read "Inmate Access Approved." The work stations had software that allowed inmates to transcribe, format and proofread Braille. They wore uniforms of blue chambray shirts and sweats. Some wore beanies and jean jackets and had tattoos covering their arms.Through a grant, the production center pays the inmates 55 cents to $1.35 an hour, depending on their level of expertise.

During the five-year program, inmates can eventually be certified by the Library of Congress in literary Braille and learn specialized Braille texts like math and science.The center, based in Camarillo but run under the auspices of the San Bernardino Community College District, has worked with Ironwood inmates since 2008. The center previously was at Ventura College and overseen by the Ventura County Community College District.

Seven inmates have been certified in literary Braille so far, and 13 Braille and 148 electronic books for the disabled have been produced, according to the prison. Those materials go to community colleges across the state and other institutions nationwide. The center also works with Avenal State Prison in Kings County.

If the inmates are paroled, like Tuley, they can do the work as independent contractors from wherever they live. The center will lend Tuley hardware and software so he can do the work from his planned home in Hemet.

Model inmates must take a test to get into the program. Many said it has helped transform their lives and taught them a trade they can use in a work world that often shuns ex-convicts.

Earl Pride, Ironwood's Braille coordinator, said the program helps in the rehabilitation process and can mean a job in a rough economy and reduce recidivism. Finishing the tedious program in a prison environment shows tenacity and dedication, he said.

"The program has been a beacon of light in a storm. It has created hope within an institutional setting," Pride said.

HELPING INMATES HELP OTHERS

The men in the back row of the bungalow worked on a project: Each was in charge of a section of "The Little, Brown Handbook," a fixture in college English courses. Those in the middle row had finished a Braille lesson plan and were waiting to be certified. Sitting in a circle toward the front of the classroom, near a whiteboard, were inmates going through the Braille curriculum.

Among these imposing tattooed men was a petite woman with glasses who read from "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," an 1841 short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Saralyn Borboa, a Braille instructor based in San Diego who visits the prison twice a month, said a story involving a murder is more likely to keep the inmates focused and intrigued.

She helps inmates understand the nuances of Braille translation and how to convey an author's message without changing the words. On this day, Borboa, a literary specialist with the National Braille Association, discussed how to deal with foreign words that are italicized and what to do if a word cannot be found in the dictionary.

Marlene Nord, a proofreader for the production center, visited the prison for the first time last month. She showed the inmates the newest technology for blind or visually impaired people.

"I think it has made them more aware of how to make things easier to navigate because they were asking a lot of questions related to those things," said Nord, who has been blind since birth. "Everybody was so kind and so welcoming, and I was really glad I came."

Glen Kuck, an administrator for the San Bernardino college district, said he was impressed by the inmates' professionalism and dedication.

"Seeing the level of work, the education, the training and the red tape that they have to commit themselves to get through — that's huge. ... The amount they are able to do is overwhelming," Kuck said.

"It's one thing to produce Braille, but there are stories behind the people who do it as well as the people it goes to. This is an awesome project that really touches everybody."

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Pete Labahn, 56, of Laguna Beach, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings, where he previously served from 2009 to 2010. He worked at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department from 1983 to 2009, serving most recently as assistant sheriff.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Sacramento -- Members of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Fugitive Apprehension Team were instrumental in the November 29 capture in San Diego of a 27-year-old man who was on the run from New Jersey police for allegedly killing his 2-year-old daughter.

CDCR agents, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, spotted Arthur Morgan III on an apartment balcony Tuesday in San Diego and alerted other task force members. Moments later, the team took Morgan into custody without incident.

Morgan had been the subject of a nation-wide manhunt in the November 21 murder of Teirra Morgan-Glover, whose body was found strapped in car seat partially submerged in a creek in Wall Township, NJ. The toddler had been on a New Jersey court-approved visit with her father at the time of her death. Morgan had been featured on the America’s Most Wanted TV show.

The Fugitive Task Force received information from New Jersey authorities that Morgan might be hiding in an apartment in the San Diego area. Morgan was booked into the San Diego County jail where he awaits extradition proceedings.

CDCR’s Fugitive Apprehension Team is one of six specialized units within the department’s Office of Correctional Safety that handle fugitive and escapee apprehension, gang-management issues, critical incident responses and criminal investigations.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Family and friends visiting youth Dec. 3-4 at O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility will be able to purchase a Christmas present for the youth.

Youth who don’t receive a visit during the two days can send a flier home describing the program. The Christmas gift contains a white T-shirt, two pair of white socks, shampoo, body wash, and a variety of food items – Rice Crispy treats, trail mix, cookies, for example. Family members can send $20 for the present by the December 11 deadline.

Proceeds from the gifts will be added to money raised through other fund-raisers for the Adopt-a-Family program. O.H. Close YCF has adopted a family from the Stockton Area Homeless Shelter. The youths will wrap presents for the family members, and one youth will go to the shelter to deliver the presents and get an up-close view of the meaning of giving back to the community.

Other Holiday Events

California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison

Almost 500 bicycles were donated to law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to be given to children through the Vocational Wheel Chair and Bicycle Refurbishing Program. Staff will take part in an annual toy drive for underprivileged children of Corcoran. CSATF/SP is committed to donating gifts for approximately 500 children. Additionally, 120 bicycles were refurbished for the event.

Chuckawalla Valley State and Ironwood State prison

The prisons will host their annual Breakfast with Santa for area foster children, as well as children and grandchildren of prison employees, on December 2 and 3.

California Correctional Center

The 22nd annual Victims of Crimes Hobby Craft Sale and Auction, in conjunction with Lassen Family Services, is 5-9 p.m. December 2 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 3 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. The auction starts at 3 p.m. December 3. Proceeds will benefit Victims of Crime in Lassen County.

Kern Valley State Prison

Staff will present baby blankets to students in Valley High School’s Parents and Children Together (PACT) Program on December 7. The PACT Program provides a flexible school schedule for student-parents to continue their education.

Kern Valley State Prison

Raffle tickets are on sale for $5 to raise money for Pond School outside Delano. The grand prize is a 47-inch LCD TV with a BlueRay player and surround-sound system donated by Acting Chief Deputy Warden Ed Blanco. The winner will be selected December 16.

Valley State Prison for Women

Teaming up with the United Way, prison staff are providing gifts for children through the Wishes for Wee Little Ones program. Staff can come by the Administration Building to pick up an ornament, then bring an unwrapped gift for the child in need.

California Correctional Center and High Desert State Prison

Collection boxes for Lassen County Toys for Tots are at the institutions’ front entrances. Toys will be distributed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 17 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds.

Avenal State Prison

Avenal State Prison has a Christmas gifting tree, through December 7, near the snack bar in the Administration Building. Each ornament represents a child who needs a gift. If life is too busy, the Community Resource Office will provide a courtesy shopper to handle cash donations.

N. A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility

NACYCF will adopt 10 families. The goal is to raise $2,500 through a variety of fundraisers. Youth will participate in shopping excursions to purchase Christmas presents for the families.

California Medical Facility

The CMF Bicycle Refurbishing Project has provided bicycles to needy children since 1988. Bicycle paint and tires are purchased by funds collected by recycling aluminum cans from the institution. CMF also has a Giving Tree to find local sponsors to donate age-specific gifts.

California Institution for Women

CIW is adopting 30 family for the Salvation Army in Ontario; presenting 20 refurbished bicycles to the Chino Police Department for distribution; providing refurbished bicycles to programs in San Bernardino and Azusa.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

CDCR has announced new Division of Adult Institutions managerial assignments:

Effective November 17, 2011, Paul Brazelton will be assigned Warden (A) at Pleasant Valley State Prison. The current Warden, Robert Trimble, will be retiring.

Effective November 21, 2011, Deborah K. Johnson will be assigned as Warden (A) at Central California Women's Facility, and Pat Vazquez will be assigned as Chief Deputy Warden (A).

Effective November 21, 2011, David Long will be assigned as Warden (A) at Ironwood State Prison. The current Warden, Tim Busby, will be retiring.

Effective November 24, 2011, Matt Mullen will be assigned as Warden (A) at the California Correctional Center. The current Warden, Ron Barnes, will be retiring.

CDCR expresses its appreciation to each of these new appointments for their continued dedication and service and also to each of these soon-to-be retirees for their many years of exemplary service to CDCR and the state.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Kathleen Allison, 47, of Lemoore, has been appointed warden at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran. Allison has served as acting warden at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility State Prison, Corcoran since 2009, after serving as chief deputy administrator and chief deputy warden from 2007 to 2009, associate warden from 2004 to 2007, and a correctional health services administrator from 2002 to 2004. She was the community resources manager at Avenal State Prison from 1996 to 2002, after working in a number of positions at the prison beginning in 1987. Allison was a senior medical technical assistant at North Kern State Prison from 1993 to 1994. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

Leland Scott McEwen, 59, of Woody, has been appointed warden at the Calipatria State Prison. McEwen has served as acting warden at Calipatria State Prison since 2010. He served as chief deputy warden at Avenal State Prison from 2009 to 2010, after serving as associate warden from 2008 to 2009. He was a facility captain at Wasco State Prison from 2004 to 2008. McEwen was a correctional lieutenant at North Kern State Prison from 1997 to 2004, after serving as a correctional sergeant from 1993 to 1996. He was a correctional lieutenant at Pleasant Valley State Prison from 1996 to 1997. This position does not require Senate confirmation

If you have not yet had a chance to participate and provide input on the effectiveness of CDCR's communication with you, please do so now! The survey will remain open until midnight of October 31, 2011.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

SACRAMENTO – All California inmates have resumed eating meals following the conclusion of the inmate-initiated hunger strike that ended October 13, 2011, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said today.

The hunger strike ended after inmates and their representatives agreed that the Department’s review and changes to its policies regarding housing criteria in its Security Housing Units (SHU) would take several months to finalize. The Department maintained the commitment to review the policies that it had begun in May 2011 and discussed with inmates during a 19-day hunger strike in July 2011.

This most recent hunger strike began September 26, and after three days, 4,252 inmates in eight state prisons had missed nine consecutive meals – the point at which CDCR considers an inmate to be on a hunger strike. By October 13, the number of inmates participating had dropped to 580 in three state prisons. Although most inmates, including all of those who identified themselves as leaders of the strike, resumed eating on October 13, all remaining inmates had resumed eating by Sunday, October 16.

CDCR is continuing its investigation into allegations of threats or retaliation that inmates made against other inmates for not participating in the hunger strike.

Friday, October 7, 2011

SACRAMENTO - To address the problem of cell phones being smuggled into prisons and used by inmates to commit additional crimes, on Thursday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 26.

The bill, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D - Los Angeles), makes it a misdemeanor for prison guards or visitors to smuggle cell phones into prisons. Penalties can include up to six months of prison time and fines of up to $ 5,000 for each illegal device that is in their possession; for inmates, early credits of up to 180 days may be lost.

The Governor also signed Executive Order B-11-11, which authorizes CDCR officials to take additional preventative steps to resolve the problem of contraband cell phones being smuggled into prisons. These preventatives steps include increased physical searches of people who enter prisons, the disruption unauthorized cell phone calls, and the use of both canines and state-of-the-art technology to find and confiscate these contraband devices.

Inmates who gain possession of smuggled cell phones have been known to use the devices to continue organizing gang activity, commit or coordinate crimes, and harrass victims.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed SB 26 and Executive Order B-11-11, to help deprive criminals and gang leaders in California’s prisons of one of their favorite means of organizing criminal activity: the contraband cellular phone. Brown said these measures would help “break up an expanding criminal network” that uses cellular phones to plan crimes both inside and outside of prison walls.

“Prisons exist to remove individuals from our communities who would otherwise do harm to their fellow citizens,” said Governor Brown. “When criminals in prison get possession of a cell phone, it subverts the very purpose of incarceration. They use these phones to organize gang activity, intimidate witnesses and commit crimes. Today's action will help to break up an expanding criminal network and protect law-abiding Californians.”

Existing law prohibits all unauthorized communication with inmates in state prison and provides for accumulation, loss, or denial of time credits based on inmate behavior. SB 26 by Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) strengthens this by making it a misdemeanor to deliver or attempt to deliver a cell phone to an inmate, punishable by six months in jail and up to $5,000 in fines per device. Furthermore, the bill specifies a loss of time credit for inmates found in possession of phones, and facilitates deployment of technologies to block or disrupt unauthorized cellular transmissions from prisons.

Executive Order B-11-11 complements this legislation by mobilizing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to use existing resources to crack down on the prison cell phone problem. The order calls for an increase in physical searches of people who enter prisons, development of technologies to disrupt unauthorized transmissions and a report on the feasibility of creating “airport-style” security at all prison entrances. The full text of the Executive Order follows:

EXECUTIVE ORDER B-11-11

WHEREAS inmates in prisons throughout the United States have increasingly been able to access contraband cell phones and other cellular devices; and

WHEREAS staff in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) discovered nearly 10,700 contraband cellular devices in 2010, and 7,300 through the first six months of this year; and

WHEREAS inmates’ access to these devices presents a risk to public safety and security, and is contrary to correctional and rehabilitative goals; and

WHEREAS these devices can provide inmates with unrestricted and unmonitored access to the Internet, text messaging, and electronic mail; and

WHEREAS hundreds of incidents across the country have occurred in which inmates have used these devices to conduct criminal or gang activities or to victimize law-abiding people; and

WHEREAS controlling inmates’ access to these devices is challenging because 1) the CDCR lacks airport-style security screening for people who enter prisons and instituting it could be costly at a time when the state is facing severe budget restrictions; 2) the CDCR is one of the largest prison systems in the world, and there are hundreds of entry points through which these devices can be smuggled; and 3) federal law prohibits blocking or jamming all cellular-device transmissions originating inside correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS strong measures must nonetheless be taken immediately to ensure the safety of the public and the secure operations of California prisons; and

WHEREAS these measures should include improving the thoroughness by which people entering prisons are searched, increasing the number of random searches of inmates’ cells, penalizing prisoners who are caught with a contraband device, and increasing the use of canines and state-of-the-art technology to find contraband devices; and

WHEREAS these measures should also include implementing a system to intercept and block prisoners’ unauthorized cellular transmissions in a way that complies with federal law by not interfering with authorized wireless devices, radios, and other emergency response communications.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the CDCR use existing budget resources and pursue all available grants to conduct more thorough searches of people who enter prisons; to increase the number of random searches of inmates’ cells, prison property, and employees; to increase penalties for inmates in possession of contraband devices and anyone who illegally provides contraband devices to inmates; and to increase the use of canines and state-of-the-art technology to find and confiscate contraband cellular devices.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the CDCR develop and deploy a cost-efficient system to interrupt unauthorized cellular transmissions at California’s prisons in a manner consistent with federal law.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Department of General Services (DGS) and the California Technology Agency collaborate and cooperate with the CDCR to accelerate the approval process for the procurement of a system to interrupt unauthorized cellular transmissions, and that the DGS further facilitate the expedited purchase by the CDCR of any other necessary materials, equipment and services to comply with the directives of this Executive Order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the CDCR immediately review and prepare an analysis of any barriers to implementing airport-style security screening at all points of entry to California’s correctional institutions, and that this analysis be submitted to the Governor’s Office by December 31, 2011.

This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 6th day of October 2011.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

SACRAMENTO -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is responding to a hunger strike disturbance by thousands of inmates in several correctional facilities. As of today, 4,252 inmates in eight state prisons have missed nine consecutive meals since Monday, September 26, 2011.

On September 28, CDCR informed hunger strike participants that the department will not condone organized inmate disturbances. Participation in mass hunger strikes and other disturbances will result in CDCR taking the following action:

• Participation in a mass disturbance is a violation of state law, and any participating inmates will receive disciplinary action in accordance with the California Code of Regulations; and

• Inmates identified as leading the disturbance will be subject to removal from the general population and be placed in an Administrative Segregation Unit.

CDCR may need to take additional measures to effectively monitor and manage hunger strikers and their nutritional intake. This could include the possible removal of canteen items from the cells of participating inmates. CDCR is continuing to offer state-issued meals to all inmates.

CDCR will take every effort to maintain normal program operations for non-participating inmates; however, a large-scale disturbance has the potential to impact programs, operations, staffing, safety and security. If normal programming is affected, CDCR will notify inmates and their families.

In May 2011, CDCR began conducting a thorough evaluation of its gang validation and Security Housing Unit (SHU) confinement policies and procedures. CDCR has already received input from other state correctional departments, the federal correctional system, consultants, experts, and internal and external stakeholders. A draft policy is under review and includes behavior-based components, increased privileges for SHU inmates who remain disciplinary free, a step-down process for SHU inmates, and a better defined validation process.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Cornerstone of California's Solution to Reduce Overcrowding, Costs, and Recidivism

CDCR has now made available a number of videos that provide an overview of various aspects of realignment. Please visit the CDCR 2011 Public Safety Realignment home page here (or cut and paste this link into your browser: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/realignment/index.html).

The presentations include:

An Overview of AB 109 by Darby Kernan, Office of Legislation;

Parole Revocation Trends, as They Relate to Realignment, by Rodger Meier, Board of Parole Hearings;

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments on August 10, 2011.

Dan Figueroa, 60, of Blythe, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Figueroa worked at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison as a correctional counselor from 1996 to 2010 and as a business services supervisor from 1992 to 1996. He served as a property controller with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 1988 to 1992. Figueroa worked at the Board of Equalization from 1982 to 1988, serving as a statewide recruitment coordinator and a business tax representative. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Jack Garner, 67, of Gold River, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Garner has served as a commissioner on the Board since 2005. He was a senior law enforcement consultant to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training from 1990 to 2005. Garner served as the city manager of Martinez from 1985 to 1990. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Howard Moseley, 44, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Moseley has served as an adjunct professor at the University of the Pacific, School of International Studies since 2005. He served in several postions at the Office of the Inspector General from 2004 to 2011, most recently as chief assistant inspector general of the Bureau of Independent Review. Moseley was a deputy attorney general in the Criminal Law Division of the California Department of Justice from 1996 to 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation.

John Peck, 54, of Sutter Creek, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Peck has served as a commissioner on the Board since 2009. He also served as a retired annuitant deputy commissioner with the Board from 2007 to 2009 and as a correctional officer in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 1983 to 2007. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Michael Prizmich, 66, of Plymouth, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Prizmich has served as a commissioner on the Board since 2007. He served Amador County in multiple positions from 1976 to 2006, including sheriff-coroner from 1995 to 2006. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Terri Turner, 56, of West Sacramento, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Turner has served as a retired annuitant deputy commissioner with the Board since 2008. She retired as a regional adult parole administrator in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2007 after serving there since 1980. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Santa Clara Police Department is asking for CDCR’s help in solving a 17-year-old murder.

Matthew Flores, then 26, was shot about 8:15 a.m. March 24, 1994, in the parking lot of Applied Materials in Santa Clara.

According to the Santa Clara Police Department, Flores had driven to work in a rented white Chevrolet Corsica. He was shot once in the back of his head, just outside the driver’s door, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The murder took place outside the surveillance camera’s range, but there is fuzzy surveillance footage of an early 1990s Ford Explorer pulling into the parking lot before the shooting and leaving seconds after Flores was shot. The two-door Ford Explorer Sport is light in color with distinctive black trim on the lower panels.

Applied Materials is offering a $100,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the murderer. Anyone with any information concerning this case should call any of the following contacts.

Flores, a new father, had just been discharged from the U.S. Army after serving with honors during Operation Desert Storm.

“We’re confident that someone out there knows something, either directly or indirectly,” said Santa Clara Police Chief Kevin Kyle, “and we would very much like for them to come forward.”

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Secretary’s Strategic Plan provides a vision for CDCR to improve and streamline its communications with internal staff and external Stakeholders. Particularly, as the Department continues to undergo policy, personnel, and mission changes at this crucial juncture, it has grown even more incumbent upon CDCR’s Office of Communications and External Affairs (OCEA) to provide prompt and accurate information to all of its external stakeholders as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Under Goal 4 of the Strategic Plan, CDCR will strive to “achieve excellence in infrastructure and administration.” In particular:

By June 30, 2013, CDCR will improve internal and external communications by 30 percent as measured by the communication index.

Due to the abundance of high profile issues and the numerous sources of information, it is a difficult challenge to effectively communicate both internally and externally. To address this issue, CDCR will strengthen its communication strategy to proactively inform and educate staff, law enforcement agencies, community stakeholders and providers, victim advocates, legislators, the media, and the public on critical issues and advances in correctional administration and rehabilitation.

To these ends, OCEA has developed a survey designed to ascertain how successful CDCR is in communicating information to you. You may complete the survey online here.

The results of this survey will provide us with a baseline measurement. Once these baseline results are obtained, OCEA will seek to make improvements in its communication methods and then, with the aid of subsequent surveys, measure whether we have been able to improve our communication methods with you. While the completion of this survey is voluntary, we ask you to take the time to complete the survey and encourage you to be completely frank in your responses. Please be assured that your answers are completely confidential.

Friday, July 15, 2011

The California District Attorneys Association’s new President for 2011-’12 is the Honorable Gregory D. Totten, District Attorney for Ventura County. He replaces last year’s president Michael A. Ramos, District Attorney for San Bernardino County.

A complete listing of the CDAA’s new Board of Directors for the 2011-’12 year can be found on the association’s official website here.

Sandra Spagnoli, Chief of Police for the San Leandro Police Department, has been named the President of the California Peace Officers Association (CPOA) for the 2011-’12 year. She replaces Jim McDonnell, Chief of the Long Beach Police Department, who served as President for the 2010-’11 year.

A complete listing of all the new officers serving on the CPOA Board of Directors can be found on the CPOA’s official website here.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed the 2011-12 California State Budget (SB 87), dropping General Fund spending to the lowest level in decades, returning authority to local government and closing the state’s $26.6 billion deficit.

The budget makes substantial cuts to government programs and reduces state spending by $15 billion. As a result, California’s General Fund spending—as a share of the economy—is now at its lowest level since 1972-73. The budget also takes critical steps to address the state’s long-term fiscal challenges by eliminating more than three-quarters of the structural deficit, putting in-place a $500 million reserve and making a commitment to secure stable funding for core services moving forward.

“This is an honest but painful budget that returns California’s General Fund spending to levels unseen since the 1970s. We’ve cut our deficit by $15 billion dollars and achieved financial balance this year. This is a huge step forward. But California’s long-term stability depends on our willingness to continue to pay down debt and live within our means,” said Governor Brown.

The budget recognizes that, since the May Revision, California’s tax revenues have continued to increase, providing billions of dollars to help close the budget gap and fund education under Proposition 98. Current projections are that $4 billion in revenue will be collected during the next fiscal year. As a safeguard, however, if these revenues are not realized, billions of dollars in additional cuts will be triggered to maintain a balanced budget.

The mix of cuts and revenue allow Governor Brown to maintain two key budgetary priorities, protecting K-12 education and funding the historic realignment initiative. Realignment stops the revolving door in California’s state prison system by making lower-level offenders eligible for incarceration, alternative sanctions and supervision at the local level, which is believed to be far more effective. Realignment is supported by the state’s police chiefs, peace officers, sheriffs and probation officers.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Governor Jerry Brown announced today the appointment of Jennifer Shaffer as Executive Officer of the Board of Parole Hearings. From the press release issued by the Governor's Office this afternoon (which you can also find on the Governor's website here):

Sarita Kohli, 52, of Saratoga, has been appointed to the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Kohli has served as the director of mental health programs at Asian Americans for Community Involvement since 2005. From 2001 to 2003, Kohli was a psychotherapist at Family and Child Services. Kohli is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Kohli is a Democrat.

Jennifer Shaffer, 42, of Roseville, has been appointed executive officer of the Board of Parole Hearings. Shaffer currently serves as the board’s chief of hearing operations for the northern region. Previously, she served in the Bureau of Independent Review with the Office of the Inspector General, as special assistant inspector general from 2006 to 2008 and then as senior assistant inspector general from 2008 to January 2011. Shaffer served with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as assistant director in the Office of Victim and Survivor Services from 2004 to 2005 and then as assistant secretary in the Office of Victim and Survivor Services from 2005 to 2006. Shaffer served as counsel and analyst for California Performance Review in 2004, as staff counsel and deputy executive officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from 1997 to 2004, and counsel to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety in 1996. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $131,940. Shaffer is registered decline-to-state.

Christina Wong, 44, of Chico, has been appointed to the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Wong currently serves as the health services program coordinator at Glenn County Health Services after having served as a senior mental health counselor from 2002 to 2010. She also serves as a mental health clinician at the Butte County Probation Department. Wong is a licensed clinical social worker. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wong is a Democrat.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Calls on Legislature to Protect Public Safety by Funding Realignment

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today submitted a report to the federal Three-Judge Court updating it on prison crowding reduction measures that the state has taken, or plans to take, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on May 23, 2011. This decision requires California to reduce inmate crowding within its 33 adult institutions to 137.5 percent of design capacity within two years, or by May 24, 2013.

“California has already reduced its prison population significantly over the past several years. Today, we have the lowest crowding levels in California’s prisons since 1995,” said CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate. “Our goal is to meet the Court’s order by continuing to reduce prison crowding while still holding offenders accountable.

“Our current reduction plan does not include the early release of inmates. But it is absolutely critical that the Legislature understand the seriousness of the Supreme Court’s decision and support a variety of measures that will allow us to lower our inmate population in the safest possible way,” Cate added. “AB 109 is the cornerstone of the solution, and the Legislature must act to protect public safety by funding Realignment.”

On May 23, 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Three Judge Court’s determination that medical and mental health care for inmates falls below a constitutional level of care and that the only way to meet the requirements is by reducing prison crowding. Complying with the Court’s decision will require implementing and funding of Realignment, as well as new prison construction, to achieve the 137.5 percent goal set by the Court.

Crowding Reduction Deadlines

Today, the number of inmates in the state’s 33 prisons is approximately 143,000 inmates—a reduction of about 19,000 inmates since plaintiffs filed their motions to convene the Three-Judge Court on November 13, 2006. At that time, California’s prisons were at 202 percent of design capacity. Today, the state’s 33 prisons operate at approximately 179 percent of design capacity. California’s 33 prisons were designed to hold 79,858 inmates.

According to the Supreme Court’s decision, effective May 24, 2011, the inmate population statewide in California’s 33 adult prisons must be no more than:

• 167 percent of design capacity by November 28, 2011,

• 155 percent of design capacity by May 24, 2012,

• 147 percent of design capacity by November 26, 2012,

• 137.5 percent of design capacity by May 24, 2013.

Today’s filing outlines the following measures to reduce prison crowding:

Realignment – The Cornerstone of California’s Solution

On April 4, 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill 109, historic legislation that will enable California to close the revolving door of low-level inmates cycling in and out of prison.

Under Realignment, the state will continue to incarcerate offenders who commit serious, violent, or sexual crimes and counties will supervise, rehabilitate and manage low-level offenders using a variety of tools. It is anticipated that realignment will reduce the prison population by tens of thousands of low-level offenders over the next three years.

As Governor Brown said in his AB 109 signing message, Realignment cannot and will not be implemented without necessary funding. The Governor also signed Assembly Bill 111, which gives counties additional flexibility to access funding to increase local jail capacity for the purpose of implementing Realignment.

CDCR also transferred about 10,000 inmates to out-of-state facilities. This program would continue as operationally needed. Since 2009, the department has also discharged more than 27,000 parolees who were deported to foreign countries by the federal government.

Increasing Capacity

CDCR has made efforts to increase prison capacity through Assembly Bill 900, passed in a bipartisan vote of the Legislature and signed into law on May 3, 2007. The department has increased design capacity by adding beds as well as treatment space.

Under AB 900, the state is currently planning, designing or constructing:

• A new 1.2 million-square-foot health-care facility in Stockton.

• New high-security prison facilities to be built on existing prison sites.

• New mental health facilities at the California Medical Facility and the California Institution for Women.

• Conversions of former juvenile facilities to adult facilities.

• New re-entry facilities.

In addition to projects that will add design capacity, under AB 900, the state has completed and is planning upgrades that add health care treatment and clinical space.

“The Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s decision that California must reduce its prison population. In its ruling, the Supreme Court recognized that the enactment of AB 109 is key to meeting this obligation. We must now secure full and constitutionally guaranteed funding to put into effect all the realignment provisions contained in AB 109. As we work to carry out the Court’s ruling, I will take all steps necessary to protect public safety.”

Monday, May 16, 2011

Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed AB 94 (Budget Committee) on May 10, 2011, which makes technical changes to previous public safety realignment legislation to ease local access and utilization of jail construction funding. AB 94 reduces the match for AB 900 jail projects to 10 percent and requires CDCR and CSA to give funding preference to counties that relinquish certain local jail construction awards and agree to continue to help the state in siting reentry facilities. AB 94 also caps the amount a county may receive from the State Public Works Board’s (SPWB) issuance of bonds, notes, and bond anticipation notes to $100,00,000. AB 94 also makes some additional technical changes.

Monday, April 18, 2011

More than 50 law enforcement agencies from around San Diego, including Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD), attended the second annual San Diego Padres Law Enforcement Appreciation Night. The April 9 game was against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

RJD’s Sgt. Corey Moore won the competition among the law enforcement personnel to sing the national anthem. Jade Morris, another RJD employee, was selected as the sign language representative.

Local law enforcement was recognized on the field prior to the game. In addition, Various K-9 units, including RJD’s canine officers Scout and Klippe with Correctional Officers M. Fredrick and A. Alanis, marched on the field along with motorcycles, ATVs, and bicycles.

This year’s law enforcement night netted more than $30,000, which will benefit local law enforcement charities.

Monday, April 4, 2011

CORRECTION: Please note that AB109 and SB85 were passed through the Legislature, but were not signed by Governor Brown.

OPINION:

Partnership Needed on Corrections

Sacramento Bee

Unlike other states, California in the last two decades has relied almost entirely on the state prison system to handle people convicted of crimes.

Gov. Jerry Brown wants to change that, returning low-level, short-term offenders to the counties. If he can pull it off – and we're in his corner – this would be the most significant and positive policy change to California state government in decades.

As we've noted on these pages, "In the past, local jails and community punishment programs were the preferred way to handle low-level offenders. They kept the offender close to home, family, jobs, schooling and other services. Putting nonviolent, low-level offenders in state prison was seen as harmful because it broke local ties and sucked the offender into the prison culture."

The counties have been starved of resources for jail space and community punishment programs, so more and more low-level offenders end up in state prisons – and state spending on prisons continues to grow unchecked.

It is long past time to break that cycle.

Gov. Brown has returned to a framework that was signed into law 17 years ago. The Community-Based Punishment Act of 1994 passed the Legislature unanimously and was signed by then-Gov. Pete Wilson. It established a partnership between state and local governments to keep nonviolent offenders at the local level who otherwise would be sent to state prison for terms of two years or less. However, it was never funded.

The Legislature reaffirmed that framework this month and the bill (AB109/SB85) was signed by Brown on Thursday.

However, the same vexing problem of funding remains.

To make this work, the money that the state would save by not housing an offender in the most expensive option of state prison ($50,000 a year per offender) has to get to the counties.

And the funding needs to be stable and long-term.

Gov. Brown and his team have been doing heavy lifting on this one – with the counties, the criminal justice community and legislators.

This is what the proposed ballot measure to extend taxes that would otherwise expire on July 1 – still awaiting legislative action – really is all about. Get it done. We can't wait another 17 years.

Senate Constitutional Amendment 1, by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, would extend the temporary 1 percent sales tax and the ½ percent vehicle license fee for five years, until July 1, 2016. But what happens after that?

The counties would still be guaranteed an estimated $5.6 billion in sales taxes and $1.7 billion in vehicle license fees. That money would be deposited in a local revenue fund for public safety.

Between economic recovery and state prison savings, this should not be an undue burden and is worth doing.

That said, there's room for improvement. The definition of "public safety services" currently is so broad as to be meaningless.

It includes fire protection for lands in the wildland-urban interface, mental health and substance abuse services, foster care, adoption and child neglect and abuse services. Yes, these functions should be shifted from the state to the counties, but they cannot just be lumped with no explanation as "public safety services."

Advocates need to make a stronger public case on why these should be included in the dedicated local revenue fund after July 2016.

The state prison system would continue to handle incarceration and parole for those convicted of a serious or violent offense, "three-strikers" and high-risk sex offenders. Equally important, parolees would return to state prison only if convicted of a new crime; counties would handle technical parole violations, currently a major source of churn in the state prison system.

Monday, March 28, 2011

CDCR announced that it was pleased by the March 21 ruling of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California to terminate Madrid v. Cate, a 21-year-old class-action lawsuit regarding use of force, medical and mental health care at Pelican Bay State Prison.

“The department has made tremendous efforts over the years to satisfy the court’s orders in this case, resulting in system-wide improvements to medical and mental health care and reforms to CDCR’s internal affairs and disciplinary process,” said CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate. “The court’s decision to terminate this lawsuit means CDCR has successfully complied with the court’s orders to implement reforms of its use-of-force policy, to review and analyze all use of force incidents, to create a process to ensure inmates receive medical and mental health care that meet constitutional standards, and to create an employee investigation and disciplinary process that is fair, consistent and transparent.

The lawsuit was filed in 1990 on behalf of inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison and claimed prison and department officials failed to adequately investigate allegations of excessive force and that medical and mental health care provided at the prison violated the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

CDCR developed comprehensive remedial plans to address the court’s concerns with progress monitored by a court-appointed special master.

“As a result of this lawsuit, CDCR created inter-disciplinary processes for the delivery of mental health treatment to inmates. These processes laid the foundation for the delivery of mental health care statewide and has helped made our prisons safer,” Cate said.

System-wide reforms to the investigation and discipline of employees were approved by the court in 2004.

“CDCR has complied with the Madrid mandates and successfully created a model internal affairs investigation and employee disciplinary process. Investigations are consistent, thorough, fair and transparent. The Madrid mandates also provided oversight of employee investigations by the formation of the Bureau of Independent Review in 2004, part of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In its last report, the OIG noted that CDCR has substantially complied with the policies and procedures mandated by the Madrid court,” Cate said.

On October 16, 2008, the special master filed his final report on the use of force, recommending ending force-related remedial plan monitoring and related court orders.

On January 21, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a response to the court, acknowledging CDCR’s use-of-force policy had been adopted and implemented and that comprehensive training for all staff regarding the policy would be completed by August 1, 2011. Accordingly, it did not oppose the dismissal of the case.

“CDCR’s use of force policy is based on law and there are processes allowing for the review and analysis of all use of force incidents statewide. I am pleased with the hard work of CDCR staff in implementing these critical reforms. The court’s order to terminate this lawsuit demonstrates the acknowledgement and approval of the progress CDCR has made over the years,” Cate said.

Central California Women’s Facility inmate Dorothea Puente, 82, who had been serving two life-without-parole sentences for two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances and a concurrent 15-years-to-life sentence for second-degree murder, died of natural causes at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011.

Puente was convicted on December 10, 1993, by a Monterey County jury – a change of venue from Sacramento County – for the murders of Leona Carpenter, Dorothy Miller and Benjamin Fink, tenants in her Sacramento boarding house. The jury could not reach a verdict on six other murder charges.

Puente was received by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on December 17, 1993.

In 1982, Puente was sent to state prison from Sacramento County with a five-year sentence for giving drugs to aid in a felony and grand theft. She was released to parole on February 19, 1985, and discharged from parole in 1986.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Chuckawalla Valley State Prison's (CVSP) Inmate Veterans Group donated $975 to the Palo Verde High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in an effort to help offset costs associated with the program.

The money was raised through an inmate food sale. Earnings from such sales are donated to a non-profit organization selected by the inmate group conducting the sale.

"The members of CVSP's Veterans Group are grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve by giving back to the community," said inmate Latscha, chairman, Facility D Veterans Group. "This donation will help to provide needed supplies to make the Palo Verde High School JROTC program better. Our plan is to continue to donate to the Palo Verde High School's JROTC program as funds come available."

Monday, March 7, 2011

Since the inception of the California Parole Apprehension Team, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Division of Adult Parole Operations has located and/or arrested 3,045 parolees-at-large in a little more than a year of operation.

The number of parolees who have absconded parole supervision in California has declined from 15,927 in January 2010 when CPAT units were formed to 12,882 in February 2011. The decline of more than 3,000 at-large parolees in just over a year is the quickest and most significant drop in the number of parolees-at-large in California history. The greatest number of at-large parolees in California occurred in 2003 when there were 19,954. The current 12,882 parolees-at-large is the lowest number in the 16 years that such figures have been kept. The initial count of at-large parolees started in 1995 when 17,688 parolees were reported as absconders.

One recent effort targeting absconded and non-compliant paroles who are sex-offenders or gang-members was dubbed “Operation Safe Playgrounds.” Updated statistics show that 277 of the 407 parolees arrested state-wide during the mid-November sweep by CPAT, are still behind bars. Those parole violators are serving up to a year in state prison, with the average being five additional months behind bars. For more information on the “Operation Safe Playgrounds”, visit CDCR’s web site at www.cdcr.ca.gov and click on the Parole tab.

CPAT agents have extensive training in fugitive apprehension, database searches, social networking, field tactics and firearms training at CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety Academy. CPAT teams consist of a Regional Intelligence Unit in each of four regional offices and multiple field apprehension teams throughout the regions.

In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans. The Judge argued, "because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them," concluding "it was no longer rape but consensual sex." Wearing jeans is a symbol of protest against destructive attitudes about sexual assault. Join other leaders in your jeans, and sign the pledge to end sexual assualt.

Crime Victims United of California is the only organization of its kind - using education, legislative advocacy and political action to enhance public safety, promote effective crime-reduction measures and strengthen the rights of crime victims.

CVU is comprised of two distinct, yet complementary groups - a legislative advocacy arm that works to strengthen victims' rights laws and a political action committee that lends its endorsement and financial backing to pro-victim candidates.

To reserve a table or submit a photo of your loved one click on the below link:click here

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Technology Agency are proud to announce and invite you to the co-hosted 2011 National Public Safety Technology Conference – “Coping with Contraband Cell Phones in Correctional Settings/Navigating the Narrowbanding Mandate.”

The purpose of the 2011 National Public Safety Technology Conference is to discuss a multitude of cellular telephone interdiction methods with corrections officials from other states within the United States, as well as county and city jail law enforcement agencies. In addition, there will be a robust discussion regarding the interoperability of public safety radios and the Federal Communications Commissions’ narrowbanding compliance date of January 1, 2013.
The conference will consist of both a morning and afternoon session. The morning session will include policy makers discussing the ramifications of these problems and their impact on public safety as well as key note speakers sharing their personal experiences with contraband cell phones. The afternoon session will consist of two separate discussions: “Coping with Contraband Cell Phones in Correctional Settings” (Session A); and “Navigating the Narrowbanding Mandate” (Session B) hosted by the California Technology Agency.
Conference attendees will receive a detailed agenda during morning registration the day of the event.

The 2011 National Public Safety Technology Conference will be held on March 10, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the California Secretary of State’s Building (Auditorium), located at 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, California, 95814. Space is limited to 200 participants; therefore, we are requesting a maximum of two participants, per organization.

To RSVP contact Janet Esola via email at Janet.Esola@cdcr.ca.gov. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact Ms. Esola at (916) 255-3114.